By ruth calia stives
Staff Writer
ALLENTOWN — Last month, Upper Freehold Regional School District Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Robert Connelly announced the completion of a plan that will allow the district to expand and enhance the nationally recognized agricultural science program offered at Allentown High School.
Beginning in September, the 45 students enrolled in the program, also known as Future Farmers of America (FFA), will attend classes in a building on the grounds of the Washington Township estate of the late Leon Heuser and his wife, Josephine.
In a cooperative agreement, Allentown High School and Washington students would share the facilities and grounds, 20 acres in size, known as Indian Run Nursery. Dr. Heuser established the property in the 1960s as a retirement business, where he and his wife cultivated and hybridized rhododendrons. It is located on Robbinsville-Allentown Road.
Heuser had worked in the pharmaceutical industry for many years, and held numerous patents for perfecting the techniques that made antibiotics, such as penicillin, clinically available.
According to Fred Vahlsing, nephew of Heuser and executor of his estate, the property was acquired through the Mercer County Open Space Trust Fund at a cost of $600,000. Approximately 50 percent of that amount will be refunded through a state Green Acres grant.
In a phone interview, Connelly said Upper Freehold Deputy Mayor Bill Miscosky facilitated the initial meeting between Vahlsing and Connelly, where they discussed the possibility of putting together a plan to make the property available to Allentown High School’s agriculture and horticulture programs, which attract tuition students from within a 20-mile radius.
The process to make the possibility into a reality took a great deal of time and effort, he said, and included efforts by Vahlsing, Miscosky and Linda Mead, a broker for the purchase of land meant for preservation. Their participation saved the property from possible development.
In addition, because of Upper Freehold Regional’s current financial constraints due to the construction and renovation projects, Connelly explained, they would not have been able to proceed without the generous donation of $20,000 by the Vahlsings to get started.
Renovations are currently under way on the A-frame building that will house the classrooms. The renovations are necessary in order to conform to state regulations for handicap accessibility, Connelly said.
Jacque Roszel, a teacher-coordinator in the agriculture program at Allentown High School, will write the curriculum for the new program. Connelly expressed the hope that the program could also be expanded to include a mentoring aspect, which would help ensure the longevity of the program.
"This is a great opportunity to enrich and sustain an excellent program," said Connelly.